How-To

HOW-TO VIDEOS

Find out how to make the most of your Meguiar’s products with these short how-to videos. Visit our YouTube channel for more content.

FAQs

Have you heard a lot of different “facts” from a lot of different people on how to take care of your ride? Well, Meguiar’s is here to give you some honest tips that (hopefully) should help dispel the many myths that have been developed over the years. If there’s a question you would like answered, go ahead and e-mail us today.

GENERAL

WHY DOES MEGUIAR’S MAKE SO MANY PRODUCTS?

Meguiar’s offer a variety of products to meet the wide range of demanding users. Whether you are a do it yourself enthusiast or a highly trained professional, Meguiar’s has a selection of products, pads and accessories that will cover your every need. To help choose the best product, call our Customer Service Department on 1800 347570 Monday to Friday and speak to one of our Technical Advisors.

WASH & MAINTAIN

SHOULD I USE COLD OR HOT WATER TO CLEAN MY CAR?

Use cold to lukewarm water to wash your car. Only use hot water to spot clean small areas to remove stubborn contaminants such as road tar and dried bird droppings.

WHAT IS pH NEUTRAL CAR WASH, AND WHY SHOULD I USE ONE?

A pH neutral car wash is neither acidic nor alkaline and has a pH of 7.0 which is almost identical to that of pure water. These products have a gentle cleaning action and don’t use harsh chemicals which may remove your wax protection and cause damage and premature aging of your car.

WHICH CAR WASH PRODUCTS SHOULD I USE IF MY CAR HAS PAINT PROTECTION?

DOES ULTIMATE WASH N WAX LEAVE WAX ON MY WINDOWS AND DOES THIS CAUSE A PROBLEM?

A wash & wax car wash will deposit a thin layer of wax on the window glass which will not normally cause a problem. However if a build up of wax occurs on the windscreen it may cause the wipers to chatter. If this happens, simply clean the windscreen and the edge of the rubber wiper blades with either Perfect Clarity Glass Cleaner (G8224) or Perfect Clarity Glass Cleaner Foam (G190719).

WHAT PRODUCTS SHOULD I USE TO WASH MY FACTORY MATTE FINISH PAINT?

You should refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for specific instructions. Use a pH neutral non wax car wash such as Soft Wash Gel (A2516), Gold Class Car Wash (G7116) or NXT Generation Car Wash (G12619). For best results use a Lambswool Wash Mitt (AG1015) and dry using a Microwipe Super-Glide Chamois (AG6000).

WHEELS & TYRES

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ULTIMATE ALL WHEEL CLEANER & HOT RIMS FACTORY EQUIPPED WHEEL CLEANER?

Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner (G180124) is ideal on all alloy wheels and dress rims including clear coats, painted rims, chrome and plastic. Safe & effective for loosening brake dust and grime build-up. Effective as a spray on and hose off product. It is most effective if agitated with a wet brush after application.

Hot Rims Factory Equipped Wheel Cleaner (G9524) is ideal for all factory-coated wheels, which are clear coated. It removes tough road grime & brake dust on wheel surfaces.

NOTE: THIS PRODUCT IS NOT SUITABLE FOR application to aftermarket wheels, Motorcycle wheels, brake components, anodized, magnesium, un-coated or powder-coated wheels.
NOTE: Always check manufacturers guidelines on cleaning and maintaining your wheels.

HOW CAN I TELL IF MY WHEELS ARE CLEAR COATED OR NOT?

Nearly all factory rims are clear coated and many aftermarket wheels are not. If you test polish a small section and the cloth turns the colour of your wheel (not just dirty) it’s NOT clear coated.

DO I NEED TO BE CAREFUL WITH WHEEL CLEANERS ON MY BRAKE CALIPERS?

Yes. Painted calipers are highly resistant to chemicals but uncoated brake components are not and can mark or whiten if an aggressive wheel cleaner is not rinsed off within approximately 15 seconds. In the case of aftermarket components use the least aggressive product like Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner.

HOW TO CLEAN & MAINTAIN TYRES?

Using a soft bristle brush, scrub the tyres with any Meguiar’s car wash solution or Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner then rinse off with a strong flow of water.

After drying, Meguiar’s have a range of tyre maintenance products to suit your individual requirements:

GLASS, PLASTIC & EXTERIOR TRIM

HOW DO I CLEAN AND PROTECT THE GLASS SUNROOF / PANORAMIC ROOF ON MY CAR?

Regular washing will remove the dust and grime. Stubborn marks and contaminants can be removed using either Perfect Clarity Glass Cleaner (G8224) or Perfect Clarity Glass Cleaner Foam (G190719). Regular waxing with Ultimate liquid Wax (G18216) will protect your roof glass and make cleaning easier.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT WILL REMOVE THE CLOUDY/ DISCOLOURED APPEARANCE FROM MY CAR HEADLIGHTS?

If the headlights are only lightly discoloured or have a slightly frosted appearance, then use PLAST-X Clear Plastic Cleaner & Polish (G12310). If the headlights are yellowed or have stubborn oxidation use the Two Step Headlight Restoration Kit (G2970). Follow the product directions to restore clarity and lighting performance.

HOW CAN I REMOVE THE DULL CLOUDY APPEARANCE FROM THE PLASTIC WINDOW IN A CONVERTIBLE SOFT TOP?

The dull cloudy appearance and light scratches can be removed using Plast-X (G12310). Apply with an Even Coat Microfiber Applicator Pad (X3080EU) and follow the directions on the product container to enhance visibility and improve night time driving safety.

CAN I USE CLAY ON WINDOW GLASS AND PLASTIC TRIMS TO REMOVE ROUGHNESS?

The Smooth Surface Quik Clay Kit can be used on window glass and hard smooth plastic exterior trims as well as painted surfaces to remove bonded contaminants and make them feel smooth-as-glass (pardon the pun).

POLISH & PROTECT

CAN I USE POLISH AND WAX PRODUCTS ON FACTORY MATTE FINISH PAINT?

Never apply any type of polish or wax product to a Matte Finish Paint surface as they will cause the finish to become glossy. You can remove fingerprints, smears and very light marks using either Quik Detailer (A3316) or Ultimate Quik Detailer (G14422).

ARE THERE TIMES WHEN I SHOULDN’T WAX MY CAR?

Yes, if your car has new paint applied as a result of smash repair work or a respray. You should wait 8 weeks to allow for the paint to cure and harden before you apply a wax product to protect your paint.

CAN I POLISH AND WAX MY CAR IF IT HAS PAINT PROTECTION?

Polish and wax products shouldn’t be used on cars that have paint protection applied, and may void the manufacturers warranty terms and conditions if used.

HOW DO I BEST APPLY POLISH AND WAXES?

For best results apply polish & wax products with a foam Hand Applicator Pad (APPAD). Apply small amounts of product on the foam applicator pad and spread a thin, even coat over the paint surface.

INTERIOR CARE

WHAT CAN I USE ON PERFORATED LEATHER THAT DOESN’T DRY WHITE IN THE HOLES?

HOW CAN I REMOVE ODOURS FROM MY CAR INTERIOR?

To neutralise and remove odours caused by localised accidents and spills such as drinks, food, etc use Odor Eliminator spray (G2316). For a complete interior treatment including vents, use Whole Car Air Re-Fresher Odor Eliminator (G16402) to remove strong persistent odours such as cigarette smoke, pet smells and more.

MARINE & RV

WHAT DO I USE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE CLEAR PLASTIC WINDOWS ON MY BOAT?

Clear plastic surfaces such as windshields, bridge enclosures, cockpit curtains and portholes are easily scratched and dulled which results in reduced visibility. Use PLASTX Clear Plastic Cleaner & Polish (G12310) to restore clarity to dull and scratched clear plastic surfaces. PLASTX contains special highly water resistant polymers that provide long lasting durable protection which also makes it the ideal product to routinely clean and maintain clear plastic surfaces, especially windshields.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MARINE/RV PRODUCTS AND AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS?

Meguiar’s Marine/RV products are specially formulated for gel coat, linear polyurethane (LP), perspex and other materials which have unique surface characteristics and are chemically different to automotive surfaces. Each of these unique chemical compositions requires specific ingredients that are formulated to produce a product that will perform in a demanding marine environment.

HOW DO I RESTORE AN OXIDIZED FIBERGLASS SURFACE ON MY BOAT OR RV?

Oxidation occurs when environmental exposure dries out the gel coat surface causing it to loose both colour and gloss. It is necessary to remove this oxidised layer of gel coat to restore the surface to a lasting high gloss finish. Lightly oxidised gel coat can be easily restored with a non-abrasive liquid cleaner/wax such as One Step Cleaner Wax (M5001 & M5016). Unlike most cleaners, this one step product cleans chemically without using abrasives, and provides long lasting protection.

Moderate to heavily oxidised gel coat will require a 3 step process.

  • STEP 1 Oxidation Remover Heavy Duty Cleaner (M4916) removes oxidation and restores colour.
  • STEP 2 High Gloss Polish (M4516) restores to a brilliant gloss and adds oils to nourish the surface.
  • STEP 3 Flagship Premium Marine Wax (M6316) enriches colour & shine and provides protection.

MY BOAT IS STORED OUTSIDE, CAN I POLISH AND WAX IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT?

All Meguiar’s MARINE/RV prep, polish and wax products are suitable to be used in full sun. One Step Cleaner Wax (M5001 & M5016), Colour Restorer (M4416), Heavy Duty Oxidation Remover (M4916), High Gloss Polish (M4516) and Flagship Premium Marine Wax (M6316) are all formulated for effortless application and wipe off in full sun.